Musharraf trip a display of control

In a signal that he believes his grip on power is secure, President Pervez Musharraf flew Tuesday to Saudi Arabia for meetings, his first absence from Pakistan since he imposed a state of emergency Nov. 3.

At the same time, Musharraf’s government offered what appeared to be a concession to U.S. and opposition demands, carrying out the first mass release of detainees since the emergency decree. The Interior Ministry said more than 3,000 activists had been freed, but human rights groups said they could not immediately confirm the figure.

The government said 2,000 people rounded up in the wake of the emergency decree remained in custody, its first acknowledgment that it had at one point held more than 5,000 activists.

Even as the releases were reported, more arrests were made. Police clashed with journalists in the port city of Karachi, arresting more than 150, including a U.S. citizen working for a Pakistani news organization.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte, during a weekend visit, called for the speedy release of those imprisoned under the emergency measures.

He also called for the lifting of emergency rule, saying it was not compatible with conducting elections.

Nevertheless, President Bush offered strong support for Musharraf in a Camp David interview Tuesday with ABC News.

According to a transcript, Bush said the Pakistani president “hasn’t crossed the line” with his recent actions. “I think he truly is somebody who believes in democracy.”

But Bush also said that he didn’t want elections held under the state of emergency.

Balloting for a new parliament is scheduled for Jan. 8. The opposition, including former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, is weighing a boycott, saying that no fair vote can take place under de facto martial law.

Musharraf returned today from his trip to Saudi Arabia, a close ally.

The visit immediately raised speculation that he would try to visit former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Musharraf, who heads Pakistan’s military, deposed Sharif in 1999 and deported him in September when the ex-leader tried to return to Pakistan. Sharif leads a large political movement, of which Musharraf’s party is a breakaway faction.

Sharif’s party denied that any such meeting was scheduled.

The general’s overseas trip came a day after the Supreme Court threw out legal challenges to Musharraf’s election last month by lawmakers to a new five-year presidential term.

Musharraf has said he will relinquish his post as army chief before taking office as a civilian president, a step that now appears imminent. The army vice chief of staff, Gen. Ashfaq Kiani, is to take over as head of the military.

laura.king@latimes.com